If you're self-employed or frequently telecommute, you may find yourself itching to find another place to get some work done that's not your home office. Many people head straight for their local coffee shop, but coworking centers offer an affordable alternative that feels more like an actual office.

For some people who work remotely or work from home, being able to work in an environment that isn't an office is the best thing about it. For others, being cooped up in the home office for weeks on end can be depressing, especially when you haven't so much as walked outside in days. Coworking centers are spaces with desks and offices that are made to feel like offices where you can rent a desk and drop in when you choose.

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Over at Web Worker Daily, Simon Mackie does the math to determine whether it's cheaper to rent a desk at a local coworking center or spend money on coffee and snacks working from the back of the local coffee shop. Ultimately, he determines that a monthly rental of about $209/month at a coworking center is less than you would ideally spend on coffee and sandwiches.

The numbers are clearly subjective: if you eat less at a coffee shop, it could go the other way. Similarly, even if you work at a coworking center, you'll still probably want coffee and something to eat during your day. Even so, the point is to show that coworking centers can provide affordable alternatives that have perks like free coffee, printing and telephone services, and an office environment full of other people – something many freelancers and telecommuters often miss. Have you tried working from a telework or coworking center? Share your experiences in the comments. Photo by Ken Hawkins.